If you are soon to be the proud owner of a pet rabbit, there are a few things you need to do to prepare for your bunny's homecoming. First of all, where will your bunny live? Rabbits can be happy either inside the house or outside in the yard as long as they have the proper rabbit hutch to stay in.
A hutch should be large enough to enable the rabbit to move around. A good rule of thumb is one square foot per pound of adult bunny. If you choose a rabbit that will grow to about six pounds, you need a cage or hutch that is 2 feet by 6 feet. This is a standard size that you can find at a pet shop, online or at a feed store.
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If your rabbit will live outdoors, you need to find a good site for the hutch. It should offer shade from the sun and safety from predators. Possible predators include foxes, dogs, rats and opossums. When you purchase any rabbit hutches they should be strong enough to withstand any of these that come along. Find one with either a solid bottom if you are going to use a litter pan for your rabbit or a strong wire floor if you want the droppings to fall to the ground.
Any outdoor rabbit hutches should offer protection from wind, rain and sun. Solid walls are a must on at least two sides. At least one side should be wire so your rabbit gets good ventilation. The roof should be sturdy and topped with a material that will keep out the wet. Outdoor hutches should be raised off of the ground to protect your rabbit from the dampness and from any predators that may dig to get in.
Any indoor rabbit hutches or cages should be available for your rabbit at all times. They should be supervised while they are loose in the house. Rabbits may chew on electrical cords, baseboards and furniture. They may dig at the carpet. This is normal rabbit behavior, so if you are supervising their play time you can prevent them from doing any damage. Rabbit proofing any rooms your pet may have access to is a good idea.
An indoor cage provides your rabbit with a safe haven to retreat to when they are tired, hungry or frightened. An indoor cage can be made of wire with a tray underneath, or it can be made of a variety of materials. You can find some very nice indoor rabbit cages online or in your local shop. The cage should be easy to clean.
No matter whether your bunny lives inside or out, he will need a food dish and a water bottle. The food dish should be heavy enough that the rabbit cannot dump it over. Alternatively you may want to get a "J" feeder that fits in the front wire of the cage. The rabbit cannot dump it and food can be added outside the cage. The food goes down into the bottom where the rabbit can access it.
Rabbits should be provided with a healthy rabbit pellet feed. This feed is well balanced and provides all the nutrition a healthy rabbit needs. Hay is perfect for providing fiber and entertainment. Fresh pieces of fruits, herbs and salad greens can be given as treats.